This archive report was first published on 13 December 2019.
On a dismal day for Burundi, Somalia kept alive their hopes of qualifying from Group A to seal a semi-final slot at the regional tournament with a 1-0 win over Burundi at the KCCA Lugogo Stadium in Kampala, Uganda on Friday, December 13, 2019.
Earlier in the day, Eritrea beat neighbours Djibouti 3-0, inching closer to qualifying for the semifinals. The Haile Efraim-coached side will only need a draw in their Sunday match against Somalia to seal the last four berth.
For Burundi, the loss was their fourth in as many matches, with previous defeats coming against Eritrea, Uganda, and Djibouti. They had hoped to at least get a point as a consolation with their elimination confirmed before Friday's fixture.
Despite creating early opportunities, Somalia were characteristically poor in finishing, with Issa Nsabimana shooting slightly over the bar in the 10th minute. Hassan Abdinur Gesey's shot was deflected for a corner, just after missing again from a close range.
However, it was Omar Abdulahi Mohammed who broke the deadlock for Somalia in the 35th minute, making an aerial 180-degree turn to connect powerfully past an anticipating Onesime Rukondo.
Burundi's fate was sealed when substitute Landry Ndikumana was shown a red card for a second bookable offence, with three minutes on the clock to smother their efforts completely.
